The big curiosity at this year’s Airshow China was the prototype Shenyang FC-31 fighter that was making its first public appearance. Previously billed as the J-31, the stealthy-looking aircraft first flew two years ago. It is a smaller complement to the Chengdu J-20, which was the first of the PRC’s new stealth aircraft.

Although the aircraft has a configuration that resembles the American fifth-generation fighters, it is not yet possible to know just how successful the Shenyang design team has been in developing an aircraft with a low radar cross section. The proficiency of the Chinese aerospace industry in radar-absorbent materials (RAM) technology, and its ability to minimize both radar and infrared signatures, remains unknown.

The FC-31 is powered by two Russian-made Klimov RD-93 engines, which are a specialized variant of the MiG-29 powerplant There have been rumors that a team of Mikoyan designers assisted Shenyang in the development of the aircraft. Senior MiG officials deny this and state that the design is completely Chinese.